Method for verification of file-based media content

ABSTRACT

A method for automatically verifying one or more features of file-based media content ( 108 ) is disclosed. This file-based media content includes one or more media content files. The method includes customizing ( 204 ) a test plan on the basis of the one or more features. Customizing the test plan includes creating, modifying or utilizing at least one media content check of one or more media content checks. A media content check verifies at least one feature of the one or more features of the file-based media content. Further, the method includes verifying ( 206 ) the one or more features, based on the customized test plan. The method also includes documenting ( 208 ) the results obtained from the verification of the one or more features.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to verification of mediacontent. More specifically, it relates to the automatic verification offile-based media content.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Media content is used in a variety of real-world applications today.Examples of the media content can be audio and video files. There arecertain features associated with the production and broadcasting ofmedia content. These features include, but are not limited to,resolution, bit rate, frame rate, color bars, and format of the mediacontent. Conformance to these features needs to be ensured by mediacontent developers, providers, broadcasters and operators. Due to theuse of new technologies, evolving industry standards and the use of openarchitecture in the development of media content, verification of thefeatures associated with the production and broadcasting of mediacontent is essential for quality broadcasting of media content. As aresult, media content developers, providers, broadcasters and operatorsrequire quality checks to verify media content.

One of the known methods for verifying media content is manualverification of the features corresponding to each file of the mediacontent. Manual verification requires that a person has knowledge andexpertise pertaining to the features of the media content. Further, theperson should be able to detect any error in the features of the mediacontent. These errors can be non-detection of marginal quality problems,difficulty in checking the structure and encoding of media content, andnon-detection of minute visual errors such as blockiness, etc. Moreover,manual verification is only useful for the verification of audio andvisual features. Further, it is limited by the number of persons engagedin the verification process, since each person can check only one mediafile at a time.

Another known method for verifying media content is to carry outscript-based quality checks. Script-based quality checks are in-houseprograms that perform high-level parsing of media content. Theseprograms can verify the features of the media content by checking theheaders in the media content. However, these checks are limited tospecific features and do not include all the features that are requiredto be verified for proper broadcasting and playing of media content.Further, these script-based quality checks may not be comprehensive. Inaddition, it is difficult to update and modify script-based qualitychecks, and keep up with changing technologies and media contentformats.

Based on the above, there is need for a method that will automaticallyverify file-based media content. The method should also be able toverify file-based media content in compliance with various formats andtechnology standards. Additionally, the method should be able to verifya number of media files simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a method for automatically verifying oneor more features of file-based media content. File-based media contentincludes one or more media content files. The method includescustomizing a test plan to verify at least one feature of the one ormore features. Customizing the test plan includes creating, modifying orutilizing at least one media content check of one or more media contentchecks. A media content check is carried out to verify at least onefeature of the one or more features of the file-based media content. Themethod includes verifying the one or more features, based on thecustomized test plan. Further, the method includes documenting theresults obtained from the verification of the one or more features.

The present invention also discloses a menu-selection method thatprovides a Graphical User Interface (GUI), to display one or more mediacontent checks. The one or more media content checks are displayed for auser to select those checks that need to be carried out to verifyfile-based media content. The GUI includes a main menu section thatdisplays one or more media content checks. The GUI also includes asub-menu section that displays options for viewing the one or more mediacontent checks or editing parameters associated with the one or moremedia content checks. The GUI displays individual sections for editingthe parameters associated with the one or more media content checks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, and which, together with the detailed description below, areincorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to furtherillustrate various embodiments and explain various principles andadvantages, all in accordance with the present invention.

The embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and notto limit the invention, wherein like designations denote like elements,and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary environment where various embodiments of theinvention can be practiced;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a method for automatically verifying oneor more features of file-based media content, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a flowchart depicting a method forautomatically verifying one or more features of file-based mediacontent, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)displaying a menu for a user to select and update parameters related toone or more media content checks;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a GUI, showing the grouping of one or moremedia content checks into schemas; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram representing the physicalarrangement of a media content verification tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing in detail the particular method for automaticallyverifying one or more features of file-based media content, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present invention, it shouldbe observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of methodsteps and apparatus components related to the method for automaticallyverifying one or more features of file-based media content. Accordingly,the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, whereappropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only thosespecific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the presentinvention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will bereadily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art, having thebenefit of the description herein.

In this document, the terms ‘comprises,’ ‘comprising,’ ‘includes,’‘including,’ or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover anon-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, article, system orapparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only thoseelements, but may include other elements not expressly listed orinherent to such a process, article or apparatus.

The term ‘another’, as used in this document, is defined as at least asecond or more. The term ‘includes’, as used herein, is defined ascomprising.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary environment where various embodiments of theinvention can be practiced. The environment 100 includes a media contentdeveloper 102, a file-based media content 108, a content verificationtool 114, and a media content broadcaster 120. Examples of the mediacontent developer 102 include, but are not limited to, a productionhouse, a film studio, and an audio and video recording studio. In anembodiment of the present invention, the media content developer 102includes a first production house 104 and a second production house 106.The first production house 104 and the second production house 106 areshown for exemplary purposes only. However, it will be apparent to aperson with ordinary skill in the art that the media content developer102 can include one or more production houses.

The media content developer 102 produces the file-based media content108. Examples of the file-based media content 108 can be an audio file,a video file, a compressed media file, and an image file. The file-basedmedia content 108 includes a first media content file 110 and a secondmedia content file 112, which are represented in the file-based mediacontent 108, only for the purpose of description. In the presentembodiment, the first media content file 110 is produced by the firstproduction house 104 and the second media content file 112 by the secondproduction house 106.

The file-based media content 108 is required to be verified to eliminateerrors, ensuring quality and conformance with technology standards.Examples of the technology standards include, but are not limited to,H.264, MPEG-2, CIF and the like. The content verification tool 114verifies the file-based media content 108 by using a test plan.Therefore, it will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the artthat the test plan is a part of the content verification tool 114, andcan be customized to verify one or more features of the file-based mediacontent. The test plan can also be customized for new formats,technology standards and studio workflow requirements. The contentverification tool 114 includes a first content verification tool 116 anda second content verification tool 118. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the one or more features of the first media content file 110are verified by the first content verification tool 116, and the one ormore features of the second media content file 112 are verified by thesecond content verification tool 118. It will be apparent to a personwith ordinary skill in the art that the first content verification tool116 and the second content verification tool 118 can be structurally andfunctionally similar. It will be also apparent to a person skilled inthe art that the first media content file 110 and the second mediacontent file 112 can be verified by a single content verification tool.

The file-based media content 108 is sent to the media contentbroadcaster 120 after being verified by the content verification tool114. Examples of the media content broadcaster 120 can include, but arenot limited to, a media studio, a cable-branded channel, a satellitechannel, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), and a Direct-to-Home(DTH) broadcaster. The file-based media content 108 is broadcast by themedia content broadcaster 120, which includes a studio 124 forbroadcasting the file-based media content 108 to target users. Beforebeing broadcast, the file-based media content goes through variousstages in the workflow at the studio 124. These stages include theprocesses of capturing, editing, post-production procedures, formatconversion, storage, transmission and delivery. In an embodiment of theinvention, the verified file-based media content 108 received by themedia content broadcaster 120 is verified again to ensure itsconformance to studio workflow requirements. In this embodiment, themedia content broadcaster 120 includes a third content verification tool122 for the verification of the file-based media content 108. If morethan one tool is used in the workflow stages, specific standards aredefined for media formats, to ensure that the tools used caninteroperate effectively. Additionally, conformance to theinteroperability parameters is ensured by adding media content checks inthe content verification tool 114. For example, a video teleconferencingbroadcast at 384 Kbps (Kilobits per second) is required to ensure aCommon Intermediate Format (CIF) resolution of 352×288, an aspect ratioof 11:9, video encoding at 320 Kbps, and audio encoding at 48 Kbps. Inan example of this embodiment, the third content verification tool 122is customized to check for the workflow requirements, interoperabilityparameters and playout needs of the studio 124.

It will be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art that thecontent verification tools 116, 118 and 122 can be structurally andfunctionally similar. It will also be apparent to the person that thecontent verification tools 116, 118 and 122 can be customized for aparticular use by customizing the test plans.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a method for automatically verifying theone or more features of the file-based media content 108, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. The method for automaticallyverifying the one or more features of the file-based media content 108is initiated at step 202. At step 204, a test plan is customized toverify the one or more features of the file-based media content 108. Thecontent verification tool 114 uses the test plan to verify the one ormore features of the file-based media content 108. Examples of these oneor more features include, but are not limited to, format, resolution,bit rate, technology standard, media content quality, color bar,caption, audio level, blockiness, freeze frame, special content inserts,sub-titles, language, copyright information, artifacts, blank frame,silence beyond threshold, frame rate, and encoding parameters. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention, the test plan iscustomized by utilizing, modifying or creating at least one mediacontent check of one or more media content checks, to verify the one ormore features. Each media content check of one or more media contentchecks verifies at least one feature of the one or more features.

At step 206, the one or more features of the file-based media content108 are verified, based on the customized test plan. For example, thefirst content verification tool 116 verifies the first media contentfile 110, based on the customized test plan, to verify the one or morefeatures of the first media content file 110.

At step 208, the results obtained from the verification of the one ormore features are documented. In an example, documentation includeswriting and displaying the results. These results can include a summaryof the errors detected in the file-based media content 108. The resultscan also include a display of one or more flames, where at least oneframe of the one or more frames may contain an error. A value logcorresponding to at least one feature selected by a user can also beincluded in the results. A user can be a person using the contentverification tool 114 for verifying the file-based media content 108.Moreover, the results can include detailed technical informationcorresponding to one or more errors in the file-based media content 108.For example, the results obtained from the verification of a video filewith an H.264 format can be documented. The documented results caninclude a summary of the errors in the video file, a display of theframes in the video file that have errors, technical informationpertaining to errors in the video file, and a comprehensive summary ofthe errors. The documented results can also be displayed to the user.

At step 210, the method for automatically verifying one or more featuresof the file-based media content 108 is terminated.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a flowchart depicting a method forautomatically verifying one or more features of the file-based mediacontent 108, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Themethod for automatically verifying one or more features of thefile-based media content 108 is initiated at step 302.

At step 304, priority is assigned to each media content file of thefile-based media content 108. For example, the first media content file110 of the file-based media content 108 can be assigned a ‘high’priority and the second media content file 112 of the file-based mediacontent 108 can be assigned a ‘low’ priority. On the basis of theassigned priority, media content files with a ‘high’ priority can beverified before ‘normal’ and ‘low’ priority files. Similarly, a mediacontent file with a ‘normal’ priority can be verified before a mediacontent file with a ‘low’ priority.

At step 306, one or more features of the file-based media content 108 tobe verified are identified by a user on the basis of the requirementsrelated to verification, and the format and technology standards of thefile-based media content 108. The one or more features can also beidentified on the basis of the workflow requirements of the studio 124.For example, there can be a requirement to verify features such asblockiness, artifacts and silence detection. For example, if thefile-based media content 108 is a video file with an H.264 format thathas a video bit rate of 2 Mbps (Megabits per second), a feature that canbe identified to verify the video file of the H.264 format is a videobit rate. As another example, if the file-based media content 108 is aD-10 MPEG-2 video file, the feature identified for verification is thatthe chroma format should be 4:2:2.

At step 308, a test plan is customized, based on the one or morefeatures of the file-based media content 108. The process of customizingthe test plan is carried out by utilizing, modifying or creating one ormore media content checks, where each media content check verifies atleast one feature of the one or more features. A media content checkverifies a feature, based on a set of restrictions on a valuecorresponding to the feature. According to the test plan, a feature isverified based on the existing value of the feature. For example, thevalue of the feature “resolution” can be 640×480 or can be 1024×768. Inanother example, the value of the feature “bit rate” can be 2 Mbps or128 Kbps. These restrictions are defined, based on the format of themedia content and the feature being verified by the media content check.A restriction can be the type of data, format of data, restricted datarange and permitted data range of the value corresponding to a feature.For example, if the file-based media content 108 is a video file withInternet Streaming Media Alliance (ISMA) 2.0 Profile 2, restrictionspertaining to a media content check, to verify the format and resolutionof the video file, could be that the video has a H.264 format and aresolution of 352×288.

The one or more media content checks are defined in a markuplanguage-based registration framework. This registration framework issoftware that is a part of the content verification tool 114. Examplesof a markup language include, but are not limited to, Extensible MarkupLanguage (XML), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Extensible HyperText Markup Language (XHTML). For example, a media content check can bedefined in the markup language-based registration framework to verify afeature. In an embodiment, a user utilizes the media content check toverify the feature. For example, if a media content check, to verify thebit rate of a video file with an H.264 format, is defined in the markuplanguage-based registration framework, this media content check can beutilized in a test plan to verify the bit rate of the video file withthe H.264 format. In another embodiment, if a media content check is notdefined for a feature, it is created by a user. A media content check iscreated by adding directives to the markup language-based registrationframework. The process of adding directives includes listing the mediacontent check and adding the methodology for implementation of thecreated media content check. For example, a media content check can becreated in the markup language-based registration framework to verifythe video bit rate of a media content file with an MPEG-4 format. In yetanother embodiment, if a media content check is already defined in themarkup language-based registration framework, it can be modified tochange a restriction on a value associated with the media content check.For example, if a media content check is defined to verify that thevideo bit rate of a video file with an H.264 format is equal to 2 Mbps,it can be modified to verify that the video bit rate is equal to 2.5Mbps. This can be performed by modifying the directives in the markuplanguage-based registration framework. In an embodiment, the test plancan be customized further on the basis of the requirements of the studio124.

At step 310, severity levels can be assigned to the one or more mediacontent checks of the customized test plan, on the basis of the requiredaccuracy of the feature being verified by the one or more media contentchecks. For example, the first media content file 110 is verified tocheck two features, its resolution and bit rate. If the resolution isrequired to be accurate, a media content check, to verify the resolutionfeature, can be assigned a ‘fatal’ severity level. In this event, if theresolution is found to differ from the required value, the first mediacontent file 110 is considered to be unsuitable for broadcasting. Forfeatures that are considered to be suitable, without being completelyaccurate, a media content check can be assigned a ‘warning’ severitylevel.

At step 312, the one or more features of the file-based media content108 are verified on the basis of the customized test plan. The one ormore media content checks utilize the defined set of restrictions toverify the one or more features. A media content check can evaluate avalue corresponding to a feature of the one or more features. The one ormore features can be verified on the basis of the value of the featureswith respect to the set of restrictions. For example, two features, theresolution and bit rate, can be verified by one or more media contentchecks. The one or more media content checks can check the value of thetwo features with a set of restrictions. For example, the one or moremedia content checks verify the first media content file 110 by checkingthat the resolution is 800×600 and the bit rate is in the range of 1800Kbps-2400 Kbps.

At step 314, the results obtained from the verification of the one ormore features are documented. These results include a summary of theerrors in the file-based media content 108. In an embodiment,documentation includes writing and displaying the results. In oneexample, the results also include a display of one or more frames, whereat least one frame of the one or more frames contains an error. Inanother example, the results also include a value log that correspondsto at least one feature selected by a user. Further, the results caninclude detailed technical information pertaining to one or more errorspresent in the file-based media content 108. For example, if the firstmedia content file 110 contains a frame with a resolution of 798×602,the media content checks corresponding to the resolution feature willdocument the error location and type of error. In addition, the resultscan display thumbnails of frames; the thumbnails displayed can includeone or more frames with errors and other frames in the vicinity of theframe having errors. Moreover, the results can also include the severitylevel of the error, a short synopsis of the error, and the configurationof the test plan applied for the process of verification.

At step 402, it is determined whether the results obtained from theverification are acceptable. The file-based media content 108 can beaccepted on the basis of the number of errors present and the severitylevel of each error. For example, if no error is found after theverification of the first media content file 110, the results areacceptable. In another example, the first media content file 110 may beconsidered suitable for broadcasting if an error is found in a featurethat has been assigned a ‘warning’ severity level.

At step 404, the file-based media content 108 is sent to the mediabroadcaster 120 when the results obtained from the verification of thefile-based media content 108 are found to be acceptable. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the file-based media content 108 is storedat a location, ready to be broadcast.

At step 406, the user is notified of the results obtained from theverification of the file-based media content 108. Notification can be byemails, visual alarms, audio alarms, and mobile alerts. For example, ifthe first media content file 110 contains no errors, a user can benotified by displaying a green light. This green light indicates thatthe file has been accepted, and can be provided to the media broadcaster120. In another example, the user is notified by displaying an orangelight if the first media content file 110 contains one or more errors ofa ‘warning’ severity level.

At step 408, the file-based media content 108 is rejected if thefile-based media content 108 is not acceptable on the basis of theresults obtained from the verification. In an embodiment of theinvention, the rejected file-based media content can be stored at alocation in a server for future use. In another embodiment, the rejectedfile-based media content 108 can be sent back to the media contentdeveloper 102. For example, the first media content file 110 can berejected if there is found to be an error in a feature that has beenassigned a ‘fatal’ severity level.

At step 410, the user is notified of the results obtained from theverification of the file-based media content 108. In this case, sincethe first media content file 110 has been verified and found to containerrors in features that have been assigned ‘fatal’ severity level, userscan be notified through a red light display. This red light displayinforms them that the first media content file 110 has been rejected andcannot be passed to the media broadcaster 120.

At step 412, after performing any one of the step 406 and step 410, themethod for automatically verifying one or more features of thefile-based media content 108 is terminated.

In another embodiment of the invention, the one or more media contentchecks are grouped in one or more schemas. Each schema of the one ormore schemas contains one or more media content checks. For example, avideo schema can include media content checks corresponding to videoformat such as the frame rate, the peak bit rate, the chroma format andthe video format. Similarly, a system schema can include media contentchecks corresponding to the system format, such as the length of themedia content file and the number of tracks.

In another embodiment of the invention, the one or more schemas can begrouped to form a configuration. This configuration can be designed fora particular media content file format. For example, a configuration canbe designed for an MPEG-2 format video file, which can contain differentschemas, where each schema can include a set of media content checks,for example, an audio schema, a video schema and a system schema.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)displaying a menu for a user to select and update parameters related toone or more media content checks. The GUI 500 includes a main menusection 502 and a sub-menu section 504. The main menu section 502displays the one or more media content checks. For example, the mediacontent checks corresponding to the features bits per sample, chromaformat, closed caption data, display aspect ratio, frame rate,resolution and video format are displayed as shown in FIG. 5. The one ormore media content checks are displayed, based on the methodologydefined in a markup language-based registration framework. The sub-menusection 504 provides an option to at least view the one or more mediacontent checks, and select at least one media content check to be usedby the content verification tool 114 to verify the file-based mediacontent 108. The sub-menu section 504 also provides options for editingparameters associated with the at least one media content check. Thesub-menu section 504 includes a severity level section 506, a checksection 508, a log section 510, a restriction section 512, and a changerestriction section 514. The user can edit the parameters by selectingvalues from drop-down lists or edit the values in the sub-menu sections.For example, the parameters associated with the media content check forthe frame rate feature of the file-based media content 108 include theseverity level, the check value of the frame rate, the log value of theframe rate, and the restriction value of the frame rate.

A severity level can be selected in the severity level section 506 foreach media content check displayed in the main menu section 502. Theseverity level section 506 displays a drop-down list corresponding toeach media content check in the main menu section 502. The user can thenselect a severity level from the ‘fatal’, ‘serious’ and ‘warning’ levelspertaining to each media content check. For example, the media contentcheck for the frame rate feature of the file-based media content 108 isassigned a ‘serious’ severity level. The check section 508 displays acheck box corresponding to each media content check in the main menusection 502. The user can select a media content check to verify afeature of the file-based media content 108. The log section 510displays a check box corresponding to each media content check in themain menu section 502. The user can choose to create a log table toverify a particular feature. This selection results in a log file thatcontains the values of the feature at different time instances duringthe verification process of the file-based media content 108.

The restriction section 512 displays the restriction value correspondingto each media content check in the main menu section 502. Therestriction values are displayed as defined in the markup language-basedregistration framework. The user can edit the restrictions shown bychanging their value, which corresponds to the restriction in the changerestriction section 514. As shown in FIG. 5, the user has provided avalue of 30 in the change restriction section 514 for the media contentcheck corresponding to the frame rate. The content verification tool 114verifies the file-based media content 108, based on the media contentchecks selected in the check section 508 and the associated parameters.Eventually, the GUI 500 is updated, based on the selected media contentchecks and the edited parameters.

In an embodiment of the invention, the GUI 500 is displayed, based on amethodology defined in a markup language-based registration framework.The methodology includes the directives and restriction values of themedia content checks. Therefore, any change in the directives in themarkup language-based registration framework is reflected in the GUI500. The markup language-based registration framework can be based on anExtensible Markup Language (XML). In an embodiment, the GUI 500 providesa section (not shown in FIG. 5) for creating a media content check. Themedia content check is created by adding directives to the markuplanguage-based registration framework. This includes listing the mediacontent check and adding the methodology for the implementation of thecreated media content check. The created media content check is added tothe display in the main menu section 502, and the parameters associatedwith the created media content check are displayed in the sub-menusection 504. For example, a media content check corresponding to thefeature “bit rate” can be created by adding directives to the markuplanguage-based registration framework. The directives includespecification of parameters associated with the media content checkcorresponding to the “bit rate” feature. The display of the GUI 500 isupdated with the addition of the media content check corresponding tothe feature “bit rate” along with the associated parameters.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the Graphical User Interface (GUI) 600,showing the grouping of one or more media content checks into schemas.The GUI 600.displays a system schema 602 and a video schema 604. Aschema is a grouping of one or more media content checks. In anembodiment of the invention, this grouping is performed to facilitatethe customization of test plans to verify one or more media contentfiles. The system schema 602 displays a list of media content checkscorresponding to the system-related features of the file-based mediacontent 108. As shown in the FIG. 6, the system schema 602 displaysmedia content checks corresponding to the system format, the bit rate,the original or copy file, the media content file length, the file size,the digital rights management (DRM), the number of video tracks, thenumber of audio tracks, and the standard conformance. Similarly, thevideo schema 604 displays a list of media content checks correspondingto the video related features of the file-based media content 108. Asshown in the FIG. 6, the video schema 604 displays media content checkscorresponding to the video format, the bit rate, the resolution, theframe rate, the chroma format, the color bar at the beginning, freezeframe detection, close-captioning information, and standard conformance.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram representing the physicalarrangement 700 of the media content verification tool 114 for theconfiguration of customized test plans to verify one or more mediacontent files, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The physical arrangement 700 includes a browser 702, acontent server 704, a master server 706, a checker server 710, and aGigabit Ethernet LAN 708. In an embodiment, the browser 702 enables theuser to view and edit the customized test plans for each media contentfile from a batch of media content files. The browser 702 also providesan option to a user to select one or more media content files. The userstores one or more media content files in the content server 704. Withthe help of the browser 702, the user creates one or more customizedtest plans on the master server 706, to verify the one or more mediacontent files. The master server 706 controls the checker server 710. Inparticular, the master server 706 assigns verification tasks to thechecker server 710, corresponding to the one or more customized testplans. The checker server 710 executes the verification tasks, based onthe results obtained from the verification, relating to customized testplans and documents. These results are displayed on the browser 702 Itwill be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art that morethan one content server or more than one checker server can be used toverify the one or more media content files.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the contentverification tool 114 can be configured remotely from any server in theGigabit Ethernet LAN 708 by using the browser. 702. This enables a userto schedule verification tasks for the content verification tool 114from any server/PC/laptop on the Gigabit Ethernet LAN 708. Therefore,verification of the file-based media content 108 can be performed in thebackground mode with remote configuration and scheduling.

Various embodiments, as discussed above, provide a method forautomatically verifying one or more features of file-based mediacontent. The user can create customized test plans for the verificationof file-based media content. Therefore, the file-based media content canbe automatically verified, based on the customized test plans created bythe user. The user can create one or more media content checks for aspecific format or technology standard of a media content file, and canalso modify a media content check according to verificationrequirements. Further, the method can be simultaneously applied to aplurality of media files. The method enables a user to increase thenumber of checker servers and/or content servers, according to a user'srequirement, to verify a large number of media files simultaneously.This method can be applied at media content production houses as well asby media content broadcasters. In another embodiment of the invention, auser can also create a customized test plan for the verification ofmedia content files, based on the requirements of a media contentbroadcaster such as a studio.

The method for verification of file-based media content, as described inthe present invention, may be embodied in the form of a computer system.Typical examples of a computer system includes a general-purposecomputer, a programmed microprocessor, a micro-controller, a peripheralintegrated circuit element, and other devices or arrangements of devicesthat are capable of implementing the steps that constitute the method ofthe present invention.

The computer system comprises a computer, an input device, a displayunit and the Internet. The computer comprises a microprocessor, which isconnected to a communication bus. The computer also includes a memory,which may include Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM).The computer system further comprises a storage device, which can be ahard disk drive or a removable storage drive such as a floppy diskdrive, optical disk drive and the like. The storage device can also beother similar means for loading computer programs or other instructionsinto the computer system.

The computer system executes a set of instructions that are stored inone or more storage elements, in order to process input data. Thestorage elements may also hold data or other information as desired. Thestorage element may be in the form of an information source or aphysical memory element present in the processing machine. Exemplarystorage elements include hard disk, DRAM, SRAM and EPROM. The storageelement may also be external to the computer system, and connected to orinserted into the computer for download at or prior to the time of use.Exemplary of such external computer program products are computerreadable storage mediums such as CD-ROMS, Flash chips, floppy disks, andthe like.

The set of instructions may include various commands that instruct theprocessing machine to perform specific tasks such as the steps thatconstitute the method of the present invention. The set of instructionsmay be in the form of a software program. The software may be in variousforms such as system software or application software. Further, thesoftware might be in the form of a collection of separate programs, aprogram module with a larger program or a portion of a program module.The software might also include modular programming in the form ofobject-oriented programming. The software program containing the set ofinstructions can be embedded in a computer program product for use witha computer, the computer program product comprising a computer usablemedium having a computer readable program code embodied therein. Theprocessing of input data by the processing machine may be in response touser commands, or in response to results of previous processing or inresponse to a request made by another processing machine.

The modules described herein may include processors and programinstructions to implement the functions of the modules described herein.Some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that hasno stored program instructions, or in one or more application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinationsof certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic.

In the foregoing specification, the invention and its benefits andadvantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments.However, one with ordinary skill in the art would appreciate thatvarious modifications and changes can be made, without departing fromthe scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims.Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims, asissued.

1. A method for automatically verifying one or more features offile-based media content, the file-based media content comprising one ormore media content files, the method comprising: customizing a test planfor verifying the one or more features, wherein customizing comprises atleast one of creating, modifying and utilizing at least one mediacontent check of one or more media content checks, wherein a mediacontent check is applied to check at least one feature of the one ormore features of the file-based media content; verifying the one or morefeatures based on the customized test plan; and documenting resultsobtained from the verification of the one or more features.
 2. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein creating the at least one mediacontent check comprises adding directives to a markup language-basedregistration framework corresponding to the at least one media contentcheck.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein adding directives tothe markup language-based registration framework comprises: listing theat least one media content check in the markup language-basedregistration framework; and adding a methodology for implementation ofthe at least one media content check in the markup language-basedregistration framework.
 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein themarkup language-based registration framework is based on an ExtensibleMarkup Language (XML).
 5. The method according to claim 1, whereinmodifying the at least one media content check comprises editing amarkup language-based registration framework corresponding to the atleast one media content check.
 6. The method according to claim 1,wherein the step of customizing the test plan further comprises groupingthe one or more media content checks into one or more schemas, whereineach schema includes a set of media content checks.
 7. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of customizing the test planfurther comprises assigning severity levels to the at least one mediacontent check of the one or more media content checks.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of customizing the test planfurther comprises assigning a priority level to at least one mediacontent file of the one or more media content files.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the step of verifying the one or morefeatures comprises using the customized test plan in background modewith remote configuration and scheduling.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, wherein verifying the one or more features comprises using aset of restrictions on a value corresponding to the one or morefeatures.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the set ofrestrictions include at least one of type of data, format of data,restricted data range and permitted data range of the valuecorresponding to the one or more features.
 12. The method according toclaim 1 further comprising rejecting a media content file of the one ormore media content files based on the results obtained from theverification of the one or more features.
 13. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the step of documenting the results comprises notifyinga user of results obtained from the verification of the one or morefeatures, wherein notifying comprises at least one of e-mailing theresults to the user, generating visual alarm, generating audio alarm andsending a mobile alert to the user.
 14. The method according to claim 1,further comprising detecting and documenting interoperability errors inthe file-based media content.
 15. A menu selection method providing aGraphical User Interface (GUI) for displaying one or more media contentchecks, the display being provided for a user to select at least onemedia content check to be applied for verifying file-based mediacontent, the method comprising: displaying a main menu section, the mainmenu section comprising the one or more media content checks, whereinthe one or more media content checks are displayed based on amethodology for verifying the file-based media content as defined in amarkup language-based registration framework; displaying a sub-menusection, the sub-menu section comprising options for at least one ofviewing the one or more media content checks and selecting the at leastone media content check, wherein selecting the at least one mediacontent check comprises editing parameters associated with the at leastone media content check; and updating the GUI display based on selectedmedia content checks and the edited parameters associated with theselected media content checks.
 16. The menu selection method accordingto claim 15 further comprising updating the main menu section and thesub-menu section of the GUI display based on changes in the methodologydefined in the markup language-based framework.
 17. A computer programproduct for use with a computer, the computer program product comprisinga computer usable medium having a computer readable program codeembodied therein for automatically verifying one or more features offile-based media content, the file-based media content comprising one ormore media content files, the computer program code performing:customizing a test plan based on the one or more features, whereincustomizing comprises at least one of creating, modifying and utilizingat least one media content check of one or more media content checks,wherein a media content check is applied to check at least one featureof the one or more features of the file-based media content; verifyingthe one or more features based on the customized test plan; anddocumenting results obtained from the verification of the one or morefeatures.
 18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein thecomputer program code performing the step of customizing the test plancomprises a computer program code performing: grouping the one or moremedia content checks into one or more schemas, wherein each schemaincludes a set of media content checks; and assigning severity levels tothe at least one media content check of the one or more media contentchecks.
 19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein thecomputer program code performing, the step of verifying the one or morefeatures comprises a computer program code performing applying a set ofrestrictions on a value corresponding to the one or more features. 20.The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the computer programcode performing the step of documenting the results comprises a computerprogram code performing at least one of e-mailing the results to a user,generating visual alarm, generating audio alarm and sending mobilealerts to the user.